Bbake-testing



c. F. COWDREY BRAKE TESTING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES 27, 71930. vRe. 17,677

Original Filed March 16 1925 4 sheets-Sheet, 1

A TTOR/VE Y May 27,1930. COWDREY Re. 17,677

BRAKE TESTING DEVICE- FOR AUTOMOBILES 4Sheets-Sheet 2 priginal Filed March 16, 1925 MENTOR ""IIME'H' 11 1 W- ?May 21, 1930;.

c F COWDREY BRAKVEIMTESTING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Original Filed March 16, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 4 AfTOR/VE Y- ing the action of the brakes upon the of an automobile or'other vehicle.

Rciuued .May 'ZL 1930 I NITED. STA

CHARLES E. cowDnEY, or rmcnnuize, MASSACHUSETTS, ass mnon. BY Enema AS- SIGNMENTS, To BENDIX-COWDREY BRAKE TnsTEn,'- m c.,' A conrona'non or DELA- WARE reissue filed November 2,

This invention relates to a device fortestwheel's During the earlydevelopment'of automo-- .biles, every effort was made to-increaSe the speed at which they could be driven, a'nd'as a 3 result practically "all automobiles nowv in use are capable of traveling at a dangerously high rate ofspeed. Now that. most automobiles are capable of being driven at a higher rate-of speed 'thanitis safe to operate them, a question of prime importance is, how quickly'may.

" from a direct line of travel.

the'automobile be stopped in an emergency.

. The promptness with which thespeed of an automobile may be checked dependsupon the actionof the brakes, and it isextremely im-' portant that the brakes of an'automobile .be kept. pro erly adjusted so that they will quickly c eck the speed of an automobile without causing the automobile to swerve It the brake bands act with greater force on a wheel at one side of-an automobile than Many of the automobileac'cidents now imquentl-y occurring are due to faulty or improperly adjusted brakes which either :fail

to check the speed of the automobile prompt- 1y, orcause the automobile to swerve from its direct path of travel. The improper adjustturning torce exerted upon the wheel.

'inent of thebrakes is due, to a large degree, to the lack. of practical means for testing the action of the brakes upon the wheels of anautomobile to determine their braking effect.

Heretofore it has been.- proposed to employ. a lever or other operating means to turn an automobile wheel through a small angle, while the'brake is applied, and-to indicate the This. proposed constructionserves to indicate the force "required toimpart initial rotative movement to a wheel to turn it from a BRAKE-TESTING; .nEvIcn non- AUTOMOBILES 1926. Serial No. 145,900.

ori inaigno, 1,568,804, dated January 5, 1926, Serial No. 15,867, m Mannie, 1925. Application for standing position; but does'n'ot indicate the v true action ofa brake upon the, wheel under actual-running conditions'.- 'In other words,-

the true action of a brake upon a continuously rotating wh'eel :can not be determinedby merely determining the force required to turn a wheel 'from' a standing position through a smallangle.

Having the foregoing in mind, theprimary feature of'the present invention resides .in

mechanism for rotating a wheel continuously through a complete revolution or successive indicating the wheel.

A more revolutions under brake resistance and forspecific feature of theinvelition re sides in adjustable .means'fel holding the foot bra'kepedal depressed to @ply the brake,

and in mechanism for rotatifim the opposite vwheels of the automobile-Whig the pedal re-' mains in the same depressed'po'sition and for indicating the turning force applied to each wheel,'to determine the action of each brake .bandupon its wheel, and'whether the brake bands on the opposite wheels are -exertingap T proximately the same retarding force. 7

Several difierent-rtypes' of automobile.

wheels are now in use; some wheels are provided with wooden spokes, others with wire.

spokes, and still others have no spokes but are of the disk type. In testing the action of the brakes of an automobile,'the means for ro-, tatingthe automobile wheel should be so constructed that it may be readily applied to any i of these diflerenttypes of wheels. more, the hub of'some wheels projects out:

wardly'much further than others, and the wheel rotating means should be constructed to clear the diiferently shaped hubs. I

Another feature of the invention, therefore, resides in a-wheel engaging head having out wardly extending arms adapted to grip the tire of an automobile wheel to secure the head in place upon the wheel and in alinement with its axis;.and having the arms constructed to' be adjusted outwardly at an. angle to the plane of the wheel. so that they will 'accommoe date difi'erent sizedwheels, and 'so that the Furtherhead will be moved outwardly away from the wheel hub as the arms. are adjusted outwardly'. As a result of-this construction by which the armsare adjusted along an inclined path,

the head is automatically moved'outw'ardly awayfrom the face of the wheeltd clear the protruding hub of a largewheel, and'i's moved inwardly toward the hub of a small wheel.

Another feature of the invention resides M in a universal connectionbetween the head and the driving shaft so that the shaft need not be accurately alinedfwith'the head to rotate it smoothl .As is well known, the front wheels of an automobile do not rotate in a vertical plane, but converge inwardly as they extend down-. wardly to cause the wheels to steer better.

- As a result'the axles of the front wheels are inclined slightly to the horizontal. When the brakes upon the 'front'wheels of an automobile aretobe tested, it is desirable that the j wheel rotating shaft of the present device he inclined slightl to the horizontal to conform to'the inclinatlon of the front axles of the automobile wheel. Another feature of the present, invention, therefore, resides in means for'supporting this rotating shaft so that it may be readily inclined in onedirection or the other to the horizontal. v s

Another'feature of the invention resides in a brake testing device having a wheel rotating shaft, each end of'which is adapted to be placed in operative engagement with an automobile-wheel. This is desirable because it permits the shaft to be rotated in the same direction in testing wheels upon either side of an automobile, since, in testing the brake upon a wheel atthe right hand side of an autoinobile, one end of this shaft is placedin driving engagement with the wheel, and in testing the brake upon a wheel at the left hand side of an'jaut0mobile,'the other end of the shaft is placed in driving engagement with the wheel. J

Still another feature of the invention re sides in yieldingmeans'controlled by the driving force e xerted upon an automobile wheel and which serves to operate an indicator that indicates the force required to turn the wheel under brake resistance. I j V I .Other features-of the invention and novel combination of parts inaddition to'the above will be'hereinafter described in connection with the accompanyingdrawingswhich illuss Ii the drawings I I "Fig; 1 is aperspective view'ofan automobile showing the brake testing device of the trate one good practical form'thereo f.

present invention in its operative position adjacent a wheel of the automobile, and showing the footpedal held depressed by an ad justable pedaldepressor'. 3 i Fig. 2is an'enlarged perspective view of the pedal depressor.

.Fig. 3 1s a' perspective view on a larger scale of the brake testing device shown in Fig; 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the truck and mechanism supported thereby,

the section being taken on line 4"4: of Fig. 5.

Fig. isIa vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 'of Fig.4.

engaging head. v

Fig. 7 is avertical sectional view through Fig. 6 is an inner face View of the wheel the head of Fig. 6, showing. the same in engagement with an automobile wheel.

' Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a number of gears shown in Fig. 5.

Fig; 9 is a perspective view of the gear supporting mechanism' by which one pair of gears is permitted a planetary about another pair bfgears, and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicating wheel'or disk.- I

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the driving'mechanism for turning an automobile wheeluunder brake resistance is shown as mounted upon a truck 10 in order that this mechanism may be readily moved from one position to another. g

The truck is'provided with wheels 11 journaled in the casters 12 which are pivotally secured to the truck so that the latter may be moved freely in different directions. Upon the truck 10 are-mounted the spaced columns 13 and 1 and each of these columns is pivotally secured to 'the truck, for a purpose to be described.

The pivotal means shown for securing the movement so columns to the truckconsists of spaced dovv'nwardly extending lugs 15 upon each column adapted to receive a horizontally extending shaft 16 which may be journaled in the lugs .17 formed upon or secured to the truck'IO,

the arrangement being such that the pair of 3 columns may be tilted in one direction other upon the truck 10. V

Between the spaced. columns 13 and 14 is or the .slid'ably mounted a casing 18 which is supported by thecolumns and may be adjusted vertically thereupon. The connection ,be-

tween the casing 18 and each column may convenientlytake theform of a dove-tailed construction, consisting of the spaced guides 19 upon the casing and which slide in vertically disposed slots'upon the columns. This construction is desirable'because it prevents the columns being forced outwardly awayfrom each other and holds them 'in proper aline- Inent. Within the casing 18 isrotati'vely mounted the main driving shaft 20 adapted.

to drive the wheel engaging headQl, which head may be readily clamped to an automobile Wheel 22 to rotate the same.

The head 21 may be variously constructed i K and as shownco'nslsts of a central casting or frame 23 having outwardly extending p'ortions 24, three being shown in the present case.

Within' each portion 24 is slidably mounted a radially extending arm 25 which may beadjusted within the portion 24 towards and from'the central axis of the head. At the outer end ofeach arm is provided a tire engaging portion 26 adapted to engage the 1 tread of the tire. The outwardly extending.

.portions are connected by a strengthening ring 27.

It is desirable to provide'meansfor adjusting the arms 25 simultaneously to and from the tire engaging position. In the' present case this is accomplished by providing each arm 25with a laterally extending lug 28 having. a .threaded. bore to receive thethreaded portion of a shaft29. Each of these shafts has abevel pinion 3O keyed .or otherwiseflsecured toits inner end, and these pinions are "each rotatably supported by a lug formed 'u on the main casting or frame'2-3 of the v w eel engagi'nghead. Each of the pinions 30 meshes with and is rotated by the'bevel" ring gear 33 which is rotatably supported by an anular flange 34-extending inwardly from the gear cover 35. The ring gear3 has gear teeth formed about its outer periphery to engage the operating pinion 36 supported-by the stub shaft 37, anda projectingend of the stubshaft is squared so that it may be ma n-v ually rotated by means of a crank handle.

The arrangement is such that when the pinion 36 is. rotated it. rotates the ring a v gear 33- to rotate the bevel gears 30 and threaded shafts 'to which th'ey'are secured,'so that these shafts, due to their- -threaded engagement with .the-

lugs28, will slide the arms 25 along the inclined path in which they extend, and this will move the arms 25 either into or outof gripping engagement with the automobile wheel, depending in'which direction the pinion 36 is rotated.-

In different snakes of automobiles the construction of the wheels difi'ers'rnaterially'and in some wheels the hub projectsoutwardly .fromv-the face of .the wheela substantial amount. It is desirable to secure"- the 'head 21 as close toithe hub of the wheel as the wheel construction will permit, and-since the hub of roject outwardly frony a large wheel may the plane of a wheelmuch further than the hub of-a small wheel, it is desirable that when the arms 25- are adjusted outwardly to accommodate a largewheel', they support the central portion of the head a greater distance away from.-the face ofthe wheel thanthey dowhen applied to a small wheeL- To'this end the portions 24 of. the head are/inclined at an. angle'to the plane of the wheel, as

clearly shown inFig. 7, sothat the arms 25 1 are adjusted along an inclined path. From this constructionit will be seen that as the arms are adjusted inwardly they move the centralportion of the head towards the face ofthe wheel, whereas,;when the arms are adjusted outwardly they move the central portion of the head outwardly'away from the facepfthe Wheel.

V 7 As stated, the head 21 isdriven by the driving shaft 20 and in some cases t e shaft 20'may not be supported in accurate aline- -ment with the head when the latter is being I drivenbythe shaft. It is therefore desirable to provide a universal joint or connection be- .tween the shaft and head, and to this end, in

the'construction shown, the main casing 23 is provided with inwardly extending lugs 38 to which. the flexible disk or disks 39, ,formed of wovenfabric or other non-metallic ma- 7r 'terial, is secured by bolts 40, and the sha ft-en gaging hug 41 has: a centralbore which is squared to receivethev squared end of the shaft 20, and is provided with outwardly extending lugs 42 which are secured to the disks 39 by 6 bolts 43. The arrangement is such that while the flexible disks 39 form a firm driving con nection between the hub 41 and frame 23 of the head, a limited amount of angular movement. 1s permitted-between these elements, and as 5' a result the head will be rotated smoothly by the driving shaft 20, without requiring that the shaft '20 be accurately alined with the axis of the head 21.

, The brake testing device of the present-in- 0 vention as stated serves to rotate a wheel under brake resistance and also to indicate the turning force applied to an automobile wheel. It'is desirable that the driving shaft 20 be driven by powerand, in the present case,

,this is fnrnished'by an electric motor 44, the casing, of which has oppositely extending flanges-45 which are bolted or. otherwise secured to the under face of the platform 46 provided near the bottom of the adjustable 100.

'c'asing 18. .The, driving shaft 47 of the motor -44 is provided-With a inion 48 which meshes with and drives the gear. 49 secured to the shaft 50. The inner end of this shaft is journal'ed in a bracket 51 which may be formed as an integral portion o'f;the casing 18, and

'I'the outer end of the shaft 50 is journaled'in a bearing 52 formed in 'a wall 53 of the easing 18,) A pinion 54is rigidly secured to the shaft 50 and this pinion meshes with and 0 to operate an indicator in response to the r variation in the turning force applied to the shaft 20. This means may be given various forms,-but in the present construction consists of a pair of gears in the chain of operating 'gears which are supported to move in a plane tary manner about the axis of another pair of 12a gea rs as the load varies. This yielding movement is resisted by a spring so that the amount of planetary movement imparted to such gears will vary with the variation in, the

force exerted to turn an automobile wheel 3 under brake resistance. In the construction shown, the shaft 56 is rotatably mounted in a.

sleeve 60 which may be non-rotatably secured within the supporting bracket 57. Upon the sleeve 60 is rotatably mounted an arm 61 and near the outer end ofthis arm is mounted-a short shaft 62. The opposite end of the shaft 62is supported by second arm 63 which is rotatably mounted upon a long sleeve 64 which may be formed integral with the pinion 65. The shaft -56 isprovided with a pinion 66 which is keyed or otherwise secured thereto, and this pinion mes'hes-with llld drives a gear 67 which is rotatably supported by the shaft 62. A pinion 68 is also mountedupon the shaft62 and this pinion is formed integral with, or is rigidly secured to the gear67, and abrass bushing or the,like 69 may be provided between the shaft 62 and the gears mounted thereupon. From the construction just described it will be seen that the shaft 62 and the gear'scarried by this shaft are supported so that they may move in a planetary manner about the ihflfli 56 asan axis, and'that this planetary movement is resistedbyspring ,means which will now be described:

The rocking arm 63 has a portion 70 formed as a segment of a gear and this segment meshes with the gear 71 which' is rotatably supported by the shaft 72. The gear .71 meshes with-a rack '73 which is-supported by the casing 18 to slide in a vertical direction. The lowerend of the rack 7 3 rests upon coiled springs 74, one of which is mounted inside of the others within a pocket 75 .fOI' IIIGd-Jn the casing 18. The use of 'two springs 74 is desirable as they will tend to exert a more dependable pressure than a single spring.

' The construction is such that the rack 73 is continuously urged upwardly by the springs 74 and this tends to rotate the-gear 71 int clockwise direction so that this gear will rotate the gear segments 70 in a contra-clockwise direction. The pinion 68 mounted upon the floating shaft 62 meshes with and drives a gear 76 which rotates about the axis of the Tshaft 56 and is rigidly secured to the sleeve 64, above mentioned as fo med integral'with the gear 65. A brass sleeve or the like 77 may .be provided between'the shaft 56 and the long sleeve 64, and the gear- 65 meshes with and" turns a large-gear 78 whichis keyed or otherwise secured to the main driving shaft 20. s

' Fromthe above description of the operating gears, it will be seen that-energy is imparted from the driving 'motor 44 to the main shaft 20 through a number of reducing gears and that the two gears upon the shaft 62 are mounted for planetary movement about the shaft 56 asthedriving force increases, but that this planetary movement is'resisted by the springs 74. -The movement of the segmental gear is utilized to operate an indicator which indicates the turning force applied to an automobile wheel, and to this end the shaft 72 above mentioned is relatively long and is provided near its right hand end, viewing F ig.'5, with a second gear 79 which meshes with andturns a pinion 80 mounted on the shaft 81. Uponthe shaft 81 isalso mounted the indicating wheel or disk 82, which is best shown in'Fig. l0;- This disk may be secured .in the desired position of,

angular adjustment-upon its shaft 81 by a set screw 83. The screw 83 extends radially of the disk 82 sothata screw-driver inserted through the sightopenin'g to be described may be readily engaged with the screw to turn it so that the'disk 82 may be easily turned to the zero or other position upon the shaft 8l and then cla'mpedin this. position to rotate with the shaft. As stated they driving mechanismfo'f-the present invention is mounted upon a portable truck 10, so that the testing device may be readily placed alongside any wheel ofthe automobile to 'be' tested, and may be easily moved from one side of the automobile to another. .In. the

present construction, each end of the main 20 projects outwardly from the casing l and each end of the shaft is squared as shown so'th'at either end may be inserted in the hub 41 .of the wheel. engaging head to drive the head.' This construction is desirable because it permits the: shaft 20 to be driven in tlie same direction in testing brakes uponeither side 'of an automobile. When,

the head 21 issecured to an automobile wheel at the right-hand side of the automobile, one

endv of the shaft 20 is placed'indriving en ,gagement with the hub 41, and when the head is secured to a wheel at'theleft-hand side of the automobile, the opposite end of-the shaft j r 20 is inserted in the'hub 41, to drive the head.

This construction avoids the necessity of re-' versing thejdirectionof rotation of the shaft 20 in testing wheels on-opposite sides of an automobile; However, if two testing ma chines are provided, one for 'a wheel upon one side of an automobile, and the other for the wheelupon the opposite side of' the automobile, itwill be necessary to construct only one end of each 'main shaft 20' for operative I engagement with a head 21.

It is well known that the front wheels of 'an' automobile do not rotate in a vertical plane, as they incline inwardly somewhat as the extend downwardly, to cause the auto-- mo ile to steer more readily, and as a result j the front axles of an automobile do not lie in a horizontal plane, but are inclined slightly tothis plane. It therefore follows thatin order that the. shaft 20 may be placed in *axial alinement with the front axle of an automobile wheel, it should 'be inclined slightly to the horizontal. The upright columns 13 and 14. are therefore pivotally secured to the truck 10, as'ab ove pointed out. v In order that the. shaft 20 may bereadily v tilted in one direction or the other to the 16. A pointer 89 secured to the'column 13.

hand wheel 88 to swing the columns in one" direction or another about their pivotal axles is positioned to cooperate with g'raduations 9O upon'the bracket84 and this pointer serves to indicate when the column. 13 has been adjusted to the desired position. It is foundu-nnecessary' to provide similar adjusting.

means on the column 14 because the engagement of the casing '18 with the columns 13 and 14 will serve to impart the adjustment I I of one column to the other.

Since the axles of large automobile wheels are supported a greater distance from the ground than theaxles of small automobile wheels, provision should be made for raising and lowering the shaft 20 to aline the same i i with the axles of: the different automobile The casing 18 is therefore slidably secured wheels, thebrakes of which are to be tested.

to the columns 13 and 14, as above stated, and the casing may be raised and lowered by means of the threaded shaft 91 (see Fig. 4) which is supported by the column14 and has threaded engagement with a lug 92-;rigidly secured to a sidewall '01 the casing '18, and

the shaft 91..may be rotated in the desired direction by applying a crank handle 93 to the stub shaft 94 and rotativemovementis imparted from the shaft 94 to the shaft 91 by the bevel gears 95, enclosed in a casing.

' It may be desirable to rotate the main shaft 20 through a slight angle to cause its squared ends to enter the similarly shaped hole in the hub 41 ,of the head 21, and to this end a transversely extending shaft 96' is provided which.

is rotatably supported by the casing 18 and the inner end of this shaft is provided with a bevel gear 97 which meshes with a bevel gear 98 rigidly secured to the shaft'50 (see Fig, 5). The outer end of the transversely extending shaft .96 is provided with a hand wheel 99 so that the shaft 96 may be rotated to turn. the. series of gears-shown in Fig. 5;

and rotate the shaft 20 through a sufiicient angle tov permit its squared end to be easily inserted in the hub 41. v

Since the rack 73 shown in Fig. 4 is urged upwardly by the coiled springs 74, it isdesirable to provide adjustable means for limiting the upward movement of this rack, and a threaded bolt 100is therefore provided which extends downwardly throughthe head of-the casing 18. into abutting engagement.

with the upper end of -the rack 73, and this -bolt may be adjusted to the desired position and thenclamped in this position by tightening the lock nut 101. Adjustment of the bolt 100- serves to varythe reading 'of the indicator 82 to vary the angle through which this indicator wheel will-be rota-tedday a given rotatin force The top of the casing 18 is" prefera lv marked as shown in Fig. 3, Left a wheel, Right wheel and Front of car, with the arrows shown to indicate which end of the shaft 20is to be'placed in drivingengagement with the head 21 when the brake testing device is used upondifferent sides of the automobile. The top of the casing 18 is also preferably provided with the s0cket'102, adapted to receive. an attachment plug for supplying current to the'motor 44 oft-he brake testing device, and the push buttons 103 are provided to start and stop the electric motor. The indicator wheel 82 is mounted within the casing 18 below the window 104, so that the reading of the wheel may be readily observed through this window. In testing the brakes upon the opposite sides of an automobile, the foot brake pedal 105 should, be depressed and maintained in the same depressed position throughout the testing operation, Various means maybe provided for holding the pedal 105 in the desired depressed position and one good practical means to this end is shown in Fig. 2, and consists of a hollow column 106 in which the post 107 is slidably mounted,

and in order that the length .of the pedal depressor may be varied, the post 107 is pro- Vided with a number of notches 108 adapted to receive the locking pin 109 which is normally held in the notchengaging' position by a spring 110 confined between a shoulder 111 upon the hollow column and the. head 112.

When it is desired to adjust the post 107 telescopically within the column 106 pressure may be exerted upon the head 112 to move the pin 109 out of engagement with the notch 108, whereupon the post 107 may be moved in the direction of its length to the desired position, and then.clamped in this position by the pin 109. The lower end of the column 106 is preferably provided with'rubber cushions 113 or other flexible means'which will preventthe' portion of the automobile against which the same rests from being scratched or marred. A threaded shaft 114 extends lengthwise of the post 107 and has threaded engagement with the opposite ends of thispost, and this threaded shaft may be rotated my means f the hand wheel 115 to adjust the threaded shaft lengthwise of thepost 107. A pedal engaging head 116 is rotatably' secured to the upper end of the'threaded shaft'114, and this head has anotch or depression 117 adapted toengage an edge of the pedal 105. D a

When the pedal depressor of Fig. 2 is being used, the end of the same which is pro,- vided with cushions 113 rests against the upright portion'118 of the drivers seat at the point where this upright portion meets the shown in Fig; 1. The hand wheel 115 is then rotated to adjust 'the' threaded =bolt 114s lengthwise .of the post 107 to exert the deslred pressure upon the foot brake pedal. ,In this mannerthe foot brake pedal is held depressed the desired amount'throughout the operation of testing the brakesupo nthe Wheels at the opposite sides of "the automobile, and

the length of thepedzhl depressor'may be,

easily adjusted to hold thepedal of any type of automobile depressed the desir'ediamount.

to be placed in driving engagement with said 5 floor 119 of the automobile, and the notched head 1 16 engages the foot pedal, as clearly The automobile wheel tobe {tested should be supported out of engagement with the ground during the testing operation, and the automobile is'shown in Fig. 1' as having a v i jack 120 of well known construction placed under the differential-casing of the rear axle then applied to the particular wheel which is .to be tested, and the stub shaft 37 is rotated to .move the armssimultaneously into the .tire gripping position. .The truck-10, with the driving mechanism mounted thereupon p for. the shaft, an indicator, and means respon is then moved in front-of the wheel to be tested and the squared end of'the shaft 20 is inserted in the opening Within the hub 41;

'Theelectric -motor may then be started to turn the shaft20 and head 21 to rotate the automobile wheel under brake resistance, and

the turning force which is exerted upon the wheel. at each instance during its rotation may be noted by observing the graduated twheel 82'through the window 104.

In many. cases it will be found that the reading of the indicator 82 will vary considerably during the complete rotation'of the v automobile wheel, due to defective brake liIring, or to the fact that the brake drum may not be properly centered withrespect to the axis .ofthe wheeh If this variation of the action of the brake band upon its wheel durjing a. complete revolutienjshouldbe very;

great, some difiiculty maybe: experienced in reading the graduationsjuponthe, disk. 82,,

due to itsrocking movementproduced by the varying'turning force, and in this" case it maybe desirable to .grasp 'with the hand the knob 121 secured'to the shaftSl-to steady or re ard the-rocking movement of this shaft.

What is clain'ied i's-z v l.. A brake tester for testing the action of i 1 abrake upon a wheel'of an automobile, comprising, in tsombinatiom-a-head engageable with a wheel'of an automobile torotate it under brake resistance and provided with a,

hub constructed'to be'driven'by a shaft, a

supporting frame, a rotatable shaft upon the fr'ame'andeache'nd of which is constructed when the latter engages a wheel upon one side of an automobile and having its opposite end adapted to be placed in driving engagement with the head when the latter engages awheel upon the opposite side of an'. automobile,

means for rotating said shaft, an indicator,

and means responsive to variations in the drivin force imparted to the wheel by said shaft or operatingthe indicator to indicate the turning force imparted to the wheel.

3. A brake tester for testing the action of the brakes upon the wheels of an automobile, comprising in combination,- a supporting frame, a-shaft upon said frame and adapted to be supported with either of its ends adjacent the hub ofan automobile wheel, means for connecting the adjacent end of the shaft to the'wheel to turn the latter, driving means s'ive to variations. in the driving forceim- .parted to the wheel'bysaid shaft foroperatingthe indicator to indicate the turning force imparted to the wheel;

, 4. K brake tester for.

testing the action of ,the brakes upon the wheels of an automobile,

comprising in combination, a supporting frame, a'shaft mounted upon the frame and having its. ends projecting from the opposite sides thereof, means for rotatingsaid shaft, 1 a head engageable with a wheel of an automobile to rotate the same,-means for driving the head fromeither end of said shaft, an in dicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to in: .dicate therturn'ing forceexerted upon the. wheel. l 1

- 5. A brake. tester for testing the action of the brakes upon the wheels of an automobile,

comprising in combination, a' supporting ,frame, a' shaft mounted upon the frame,

means for rotating said shaft, a portable truck upon which the frame is mounted, wheel engaging meansfl f or placing either end of'said shaft in driving engagement with an automobile wheel to rotate the wheelunder brake reslstanceyan indicator, and means responsive to variations in the-driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate force exerted upon the wheel.

6. A brake tester for'testing the a brake upon a wheel of an automobile,jcomthe turning action of prising in combination, a supporting frame,

a shaft Uponjthe franre, means for rotating said shaft, a head engageable vwithan automobile. wheel to rotate it under brake resist ance', auniversa'l jointconnection for driving theheadf-rom said shaft, and means responsivatovariations in the drivingforce imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate the turning the hub and force exerted upon the wheel,

' 7. A braketester for test. ng the action of a brake upon a Wheel of an-automobile, 'comprising in combinatiomf-a head engageable with a wheel of an automobile to rotatev it under brake resistance, a hub, a universal a driving connection between joint forming head, a shaft engageable wlth said hub to rotate the wheel, means for rotatingthe shaft, anindicator, and means responsive to variations inthe driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate the turning forceexerted upon the wheel.

'8. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile, comgrisin in combination a head en a eable with a wheel of'an automobile to'rotate the wheel under brake resistance and having a central flange portion, a hub constructed to.

receive an end of a driving shaft, a non-inetallic annulus forming a universal joint for 1 securing the hub to said central flange portion, a driving shaft engageable with said hub to rotate the head, means for driving the -pr1sing incombination, a. head engageable .1 wheel hub, POIUOHS extending, outwardly with a wheel ofan automobile to rotate it under brake resistance, consisting of a central casing that he's in front of the automobile from he casingtoward theautomqbile tire at at angle to the plane of the'automobile wheel, arms secured to said portions to.slide 1n the direction in WlllCll'tllGrPOIilOIlS are inclined and hav ng tire engaging elements at their outer ends, means for rotating said Iliead, an indicator, and means responsive to variations inthe driving force imparted to the wheel by said head for'aetuating the indi'-' cator toindicate the turning force exertedupon the Wheel,

10. A,brake tester for testing the actionof a brake upon a Wheel of an automobile, comprising. in combinatioma head engageable with a Wheel of an automobfle to rotate it under brake resistance, and having tire engaging arms supported for adjustment toward the wheel hub at an inclination to the plane of the wheel,.means for rotating said head, an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the. wheel by said head for actuating the indicatortoindicate the turning. force exerted upon the whee ll. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a Wheel of an automobile, comprising in combination, a rotatable shaft,

[means for supporting the shaft for angular adjustment about a transverse axis,

means for rotating said shaft, means for operatively connecting the shaft to an auto'mo, ile wheel to rotate the wheel, an indicator, and means 7 responsive tovariations in the driving force imparted to the wheel'by .said shaft for op-j erating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted upon the wheel.

"12. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheelofan automobile, comprising intcon'ibination, a rotatable shaft, a supporting frame for the shaft'andmounted for movement about an axis transverse to the shaft to position the shaft for operative connection with an automobile wheel, means for l'otating said shaft, means for connecting the shaft to an automobile wheel to turn it, an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving forceimparted to the, wheel by said shaft for'operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted upon the wheel.

13. ,A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a-wheel of an automobile, comrisi'n in combination a rotatable shaft a supporting frame for the shaft, a portable truck for said frame, means for securing the frame to theitruck for tilting movement to) different inclinations, means for rotating the shaft, means for connecting the shaft, to an automobile ,wheel to rotate it, an indicator, and means-responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicatortg indicate the turningforee exerted upon the wheel.

14. A brake tester for testing'the action of a brake upon a Wheel of an automobile,

ct'nnprising in combination, a rotatable shaft having a supporting frame, driving means for said shaft, means for imparting the rotative movement of the shaft to a wheel of an automobile, and means for indicating the turning force applied to the wheel, including a series of gears operated by said drivingmeans, one of said gears being supported to move bodily in an are about another gear, spring means for resisting the arcuate movement of said gear, an indicator, and means for imparting the yielding arcuate movement of' said gear to the indicatorto actuate it.

15. A brake testerfor testing the action of I a brake upon a wheel of an automobile, com-- prising in combination, a rotatable shaft having a supportingframe, driving means for said shaft, means for imparting the rotative movement of the shaft to a wheel of an automobile, and means for indicating the turning yielding means force applied'to the wheel, includingia series of gears operated by saiddriving mean'sand one of which is mounted to 1eld as the load increases, an'indicator, an means for :1m-

5 parting'the yielding movement of said gear to the indicator to actuateit. a

16. A brake tester for testing the action of i a brake upon a wheel ofyan automobile, com

, pris ngv 1n comblnatlon, a rotatable shaft,

- having a suptport n'g 'frame, dr1v1ng means,

' for saidsha means for imparting the rotative movement of the shaft to a wheel of anautomobile, and.;Ii1eans for indicating the turning-force=applied to said shaft,-includin'g a series of means, a floating shaft for supporting one of said gears,

gears operated=I by-,.the driving means forjsupport'ing said shaft for floating movement so that it may move to different v positions under. different loads,

for opposing the floating movement of said shaft, an indicator, and means for-imparting the movement of the floating shaft to the indicator to actuate it.

' 17. A brake tester for testing the action of 7 a brake upon a wheel of anautomobile, com- I rotative movement of the shaft of an automobile, a spring mounted in a fixed operable in response ment of the spring toactuate the indicator so prising in combination, a rotatable shaft, :1

supporting frame for the .shaft, means for driving the shaft, means for imparting the position' upon said fram'e,.me ans for trans- 'mitting powerfrom said. driving means 'to the shaft and :operable to tension the spring as the load increases, an indicator, and means to the yielding movethat it will indicate pliedto the wheel." V

18. A brake tester for testing the action of the turning force apa brake upon-a wheel of an automobile, coniprising in combination, a rotatableshaft I having asupporting frame, means for drivmg said shaft, means for imparting the rotative movement of the shaft to a'wheel of an automobile, a series of gears operated by-the drlvmg means to drive the shaft, a gear 'carrier forming a support for one of said gears I r and mounted for rockingmovem'ent about the axis-of another of the gears as the load aries, a spring for resisting the'rocking movement of said carrier, an indicator, and means for impartlng the rocking movement ofthe carrier to the indicator to actuate it; I v 19. A brake tester'for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile,-com

prising in combination, a" rotatable shaft" v having a sup ortingframe, means for driving said shaf ,means' for imparting the rotative movement of the shaft to a" wheel of an automobile, a series of gears operated by the driving means to drive the shaft, a movable gear carrier for supporting-one of sald gears and' mounted for rocking movement about the axis of another of the gears as the- 1 t5 l ad'varies, a spring actuated rack for urgfor exerting aof the movement bodily ofsaid' gear,

said sha movement of the shaft to an automobile to a wheel ing the gear-carrier in 'one direction and adapted to yield as-the driving force applied to said shaft increases, means for imparting the t of the gear carrier tothe indicator;

20. A'lirake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile, comprising in combination, a rotatable 1 shaft havingasupporting frame, a driving motor for said shaft, means for imparting the rotativ movement of the shaft to an automoan indicator, and

: bile wheel, a series of gears between; said mo .tor and shaft to drive the letter from the former, means for supporting one of said gears for' movement ,bodil about another gear of series as the load increases, means orce in a direction to oppose an indicator, and. means ,for imparting the movement of the bodily movable gear to the indi-' cator to actuate it. l

21. A braketester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel o fjan automobile, comprising in combination, a rotatable shaft havmg a su porting frame, driving means for f g'means for, imparting the rotative wheel a series of reducinigt gears between the driving Vmeans and sha shaft, means for supporting one ,of said gears for movement bodily about another of f the series of rs asthe load. increases, yield for driving the rocklng movement i'ng means or opposing said bodily move- V ment of ear, an indicator, and means 7 J actuated by said bodily movement forpperating the indicator to indicate the force applied-to the shaft. 7 7' .22. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon. a,wheel of an au'tomobile comprising, in combination, a rotating shaft having a supporting frame, a base upon which the frame is adju'stably mounted, means for securing the frame in different positions of angular adjustment upon the base ;to position the shaft for operative connection said shaft, mechanism for imparting the reta'tive movement of the shaft bile wheel, an indicator,

sive to variations in the driving force' imto an automov and "means responv parted to the wheel by said shaft for operatin 'the indicator to indicate th'ejturning force exerted upon the wheel.

-"23; A brake tester for testing the action l rising, combination, a rotatable 'of a. brake upon a wheel of an automobile comp shaft havinga supporting frame, a base upon which the frame is adjustably mounted,

means for adjusting the frameto diflerent positions upon the base, means for rotating said shaft, mechanism for imparting the ro-- tative movement'of the shaft to an automobile wheel, an indicator, and means responsive tovariations in the driving for e un- 110. with an automobile wheel, means for rotating v ing the indicater toindicate the turning force comprising in combination, a'shaft having a sup ortlng fram'e, means for rotating said v to maintain the wheel in rotation, and means actuatin 26. A brake tester for'testing the action comprising in I combination, a supporting exerted upon the wheel. ,"24sA brake tester for testing the action of aLbrakenpon a wheel of an .automobile,

sha t, means for imparting the rotative movement of the shaft to a wheel of an auto mobile, yielding means that is subjected to the turning force applied to the automobile wheel, a graduated wheel for indicating the turning force applied to the automobile wheel, and mechanism actuated by said yielding meaiis to rotate the graduated wheel.

25. A brake tester for testing theaction of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile, comprising in combination, a supporting frame, a rotating element supported by said frame .With its axis of rotationjn axial alignment with the axis of a wheel of the automobile, means for rotating said element, means engageable with said wheeland rotatable by said element to turn the wheel under brake resistance, an indicator for indicatingthe force exerted through said means under the control of the turning torque for o: the indicator.

of a brake upon awheel of an automobile,

frame, a rotating element supported by the frame, means, for raising and lowering said elementto bring its axis of rotation in alinement-with the axis'ofa wheelof the automobile, means for rotating said element, means engageable with said wheel ,and rotatable by said element toturn the wheel under brake resistance, an indicator, and means responsive to Variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said element for i operating the indicator to indicatethe'turning force exerted uplonlthe wheel.

27. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile comprising in ,combination, a tire gripping devlce constructed to be secured to an automobile wheel and including tire engaging elements and means for moving said elements frame for driving the tire gripping device: to rotate a wheel under bralge resistance, an

, indicator, and meansjresponslve to variations dicator to indicate-1th turning force exertsimultaneously intothe tire gripping position, a. supporting frame, means upon the in the driving force imparted to the wheel by the tire gripping devicefor-operatingthe in ed upon the wheelff 5 28. A brake tester for testing the action of abrake upon a wheel of an automobile,

comprising in combination, a head having laterally extending arm portions engageable with a wheel of an automobile 'to turn the wheel through successive revolutions under brake resistance, means for rotating said head .brakes upon the responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said head for operating the indictor to indicate the turning force exerted upon the wheel.

to .turn the wheel, an indicatonand means to turn the wheel under brake resistance,

an indicator, and means responsive to variations-in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said head for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted upon the Wheel. 1 I y 30. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile comprising in combination, a portable frame, a shaft rotatably supported by said-frame, a motor for driving said shaft, means for imparting the rotative .movenientof said shaft to the wheel of an automobile to turn the wheel under brake resistance, an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the turning force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted'u'pon the wheel. t e

31, A bralre'tester for testing the action of the brakes upon the wheels of an automobile,

comprisingin combination, a' stand, a tire ed upon the stand and adapted to rotate said device to turn a wheel under brake resistance, an indicator, and means responslve' to cited upon the wheel.

32: A brake tester for testing the action 'ofthe brakes upon the wheels of an automobile, comprising in combination,- a stand, a

variations in the driving force imparted'to the wheel by, said device for-operating the indicator .to indicate the turning forceextire gripping device consisting of a hub portionhaving arms extending therefrom and means for movlng the arms simultaneously into gripping engagement with the tire,

means mounted upon the stand and adapted ,brake resistance, an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving, force to rotate said device to turn a wheelunder imparted to the wheel byv saiddevice for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted upon the wheel.

33. A device for testing the actibnof the heels of' an automobile, comprising in com ination,

ing shaft supported by said stand,-wheel engaging means adapted to be secured to an automobilewheel and driven by said shaft,

means for rotating said shaft, and means a stand, a driv- 29-. A brake tester for testingthe action of To responsive to variations in the drivin force imparted to the wheel by said shafti or op erating the indicator toindieate the turning force exerted uponthe wheel.

34; A'device 'for testing the action of the brakes upon the Wheels 'of'an automobile,-

- comprising in combination, a stand, a casing andlowering said casing to bring the shaft into driving relation with the automobile mounted upon said stand for an up and down movement, a driving shaft supported by said casing, means for rotating said shaft,

' wheel engaging means adapted to be driven by said shaft to rotate an automobile wheel underbrake resistance, means for raising wheel, an indicator, and means responsive 1 p to thewheel by said shaft to variations inthe drivin force: imparted %or operating the indicator-to indicate the turning force ex: erted'uponthe wheel.

35. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile comprising in combination, a head engageable with a wheel of an automobile to turn the wheel through a complete revolution while.

under brake resistance; adriving shaft fdr rotating the head and wheel 'engagedthereby, means for driving the shaft, an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted upon the wheel.

36. A'brake tester fo'r testing the action of a brake'upon a wheel of an automobile, comprisingin combination, ahead provided with meansengageable with a wheel of an automobile to turn the wheel continuously through a complete revolution under brake 4 resistance, power means for rotating said.

head to turn the wheel through said -wheel engaging means, an indlcator and means responsive to Variations 1n the driving force imparted to the wheel by said head for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerteduponthe wheel to turn it under.

brake resistance. p

37. A brake tester for testing separately theaction of the brakes upon the wheels-of an: automobile that the brake action uponthe wheels maybe measured and equalized, comprising, in combination, powermeans for imparting-acontinuous rotative movement-to one of the wheels of an automobile to turn the wheel through a complete rotation underjbrakeresistance, a truck on which the power means for turning the wheel is mounted that the power means may be moved to and applied to different wheels,

mechanism for driving a wheel from the powermeans, an'mdicator, and means'responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said power means 1 for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force exerted upon the wheel.

brake tester for testing the action of a bra kev upona wheel ofan automobile,

1 comprising in combination, a stand, a driving shaft supported by the. stand in axial alinement with the axis of an automobile Wheel, means for rotating said shaft, means for-imparting the rotative movement of theshaft to said wheel to turn the wheel under brake resistance, an indicator, and meansresponsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to -indicate theturning force exerted upon the v wheel; I

39. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a'wheel of an automobile comprising in combination, a supporting frame, a, portable truck upon which the frame is mounted, a driving shaft rotatably supported by the frame,, means for rotating the shaft,

means for imparting the rotative movement of the s'haft'to a wheelof an automobile to rotate the wheel under'brakeresistance, an indicator, and'means responsive to 'varia-, tions in the driving forceimparted tothe wheel by said shaft for operating the indi-.

cator to, indicate the turningforce exerted upon the wheel.

40. A brake tester for testing the action of abrake upon a wheelof an automobile, comprising in combination, a supporting frame,

a driving shaft supportedby said frame, means for rotating said shaft, a wheel engaging head removably secured to and driven by said shaft to rotate a wheel of an automobile through a complete revolution under brake resistance, an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate the turning v i force exerted upon the wheel.

41. A brake tester for testing separately" the action of the brakes upon the Wheels of an automobile while the-brakes are applied with an unvarying brake-applying force that the brake action upon the different wheels may be measured and equalized, comprising in combination, portable power meansappli cable to any one of the wheels of an automobile to turn the wheel to which it is applied through a complete revolution while under the unvarying brake force, an indicator, and a force IGSl QnSlVe connection between the indicator and'said power means for operating the indicator to indicate the exerted upona wheel. 7

42. Brake testingap-paratuscomprising, in -combination, means for turning a vehicle turning force wheel against the resistance of its brake and including intermeshing gears, one of which is bodilydisplaceable against spring resistance, driving means for said gears, and indicating means for showing the brake resistance controlled by the bodily movementof the spring resisted gear.

' 43. A brake tester for testing the action of a brake upon a wheel of an automobile,

comprising in combination, a wheel rotating gagement with said wheel rotating means to.

turn the wheel, driving means for said shaft,

'an indicator, and means responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the on (A! wheel by said shaft for operating the indicatorto indicate the turning force imparted to the wheels a 44. A brake tester for testing the action of the brakes upon the wheels of an automobile, comprising in combination, wheel rotating means, a frame having a rotatable shaft the opposite ends of which are constructed so that one end thereof may be engaged with said means to turn a wheel at one side of the automobile and the other end of the shaft may be engaged with said means to turna wheel at the opposite side of the automobile, driving means for said shaft, and indicator,

and means responsive to variations in the driving force imparted to the wheel by said shaft for operating the indicator to indicate the turning force imparted to the wheel.

45. A brake testing apparatus for vehicles comprising a wheel rotating means, means other than the vehicle motor mechanism for operating said rotating means including a' support pivotal about a fixed axis and means for resisting pivotal movement'of the support, a shaft mounted in the support on the said axis, a second shaft mounted in the support at a point spaced from said axis, and connections between the shafts operable upon retardation of the wheel to cause pivotal movement of the support, an indicator to indicate the retarding force applied to a vehicle wheel, and means to operate the indicator by said movement.

46. Atesting apparatus for vehicles comprising a wheel rotating means, means other 5: than the vehicle mechanism for operating said rotating means, including a support pivotal about a fixed axis and means for resisting pivotal movement of the support, a shaft mounted in the support on said axis, a secondshaft mounted in this support and spaced from said axis, and gear connections between the shafts operable upon retardation of the wheel to impart pivotal movement to the support, an indicator to indicate the retarding force applied to a vehicle wheel, and

means to operate the indicator by said movement.

47. A brake testing apparatus for vehicles comprising a wheel rotating means, means other than the vehicle mechanism for operating the wheel rotating means including a support pivotal about a fixedaxis and means for'resisting pivotal movement of the support, a shaft mounted in the support on said axis, a second shaft mounted in the support an indicator to indicate the retarding force applied to a vehicle wheel, and means to operate the indicator by themovement of the support.

48. An apparatus for testing brakes for vehicles comprising a wheel rotating means including a support pivotal about a fixe axis and means for resisting pivotal movement of the support, a motor driven shaft mounted in the support on said axis, a second shaft mounted in the support at a point spaced from said axis, and connections between the shafts operable upon retardation of the wheel to cause pivotal 'movement of the support, an indicator to indicate the retarding force applied to a vehicle wheel, and means to operate the indicator by the movement of the support.

49. A brake testing apparatus for vehicles comprising wheel rotating means including a support pivotal about a fixed axis and means for resisting pivotal movement of the support, a motor driven shaft mounted in. the support on said axis, a second shaft mounted in the support at a point. spaced from said axis, and ear connections between the shafts opera le upon retardation of the wheel to swing the support, an indicator "to indicate the retarding force applied to a vehicle wheel, and means to operate the indicator by the swinging movement of said support.

50. A brake testing apparatus for vehicles comprising wheel rotating means including a support pivotal about a fixed axis and means for resisting pivotal movement of the support, a motor driven shaft mounted in the support on said axis, a second shaft mountedin the support at a point spaced from said axis, and planetary gear connections between the shafts operable upon retardation of the wheel to swing the support, an indicator to indicate the retarding force applied to a vehicle wheel, and means to operate the indicator by the swinging movement of the support.

51. A brake tester for vehicles comprising a wheel rotating means, a driving member for said means, a gear train between the driving member and the wheel rotating means including a plurality of gear shafts, yieldable means operable upon retardation of the 'wheel to planetarily displace one of said 

